Static redirection for objective C

ABSTRACT

Particular embodiments establish static redirection of a function that is a member of a class to an alternate implementation of the function. A software tool executing on a computer server receives an executable file for an application and a location for an alternate implementation of the function. The function may be written in Objective C. The software tool can be used to locate a structure for the function by traversing serialized metadata in the executable file. The software tool can then be used to modify the metadata in the executable file by updating the value of a selector indicating the location of a current implementation of the function to indicate a location of the alternate implementation. The selector may be included in a element of the structure for the class method. Finally, the application may provide the modified executable file for installation on client devices.

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/874,451 (“Static Redirection for Objective C”), filed Apr.30, 2013, which is expressly incorporated by reference. This patentapplication claims benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/874,451.

BACKGROUND

A user owning a personal mobile device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, etc.)may want to install certain “workplace” mobile applications (e.g.,email, calendar, etc.) relating to his work as an employee of a businesson his mobile device rather than carry an additional mobile device forwork purposes. In situations where an employer permits the user toutilize his personal mobile device to install and run a workspaceapplication, the employer's IT department may need to impose certainsecurity measures or policies on the user's personal device to ensurethat enterprise data that is accessed or stored on the personal mobiledevice is secure. For example, the approaches described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/595,881 filed on Aug. 27, 2012 and entitled“Method and System for Facilitating Isolated Workspace for Applications”(which is hereby incorporated by reference and referred to herein as the“'881 Application”) utilize a management application locally resident onthe mobile device to assist in imposing security policies only aroundworkspace data and applications.

One way of accomplishing this goal is by modifying the workplaceapplication to enforce any such security measures or policies. Forexample, an application that provides access to workplace email may bemodified to require an additional authentication step prior to allowingthe user to access such workplace email by asking the user to log inusing their work-issued user ID and password. Such modification is astraightforward matter, if the application source code is available tothe software developer charged with this task. However, developerstypically do not have access to source code to third-party applicationsof the type that most. In that case, the software developer may find itnecessary to modify the executable file for the third-party application.

When modifying an executable file using Objective C, the softwaredeveloper may use a technique called method swizzling to point to analternate implementation of a method at runtime. Method swizzlingoperates by applying introspection to access the default methodimplementation and then applying reflection to redirect the code to usethe alternate implementation of the method. Introspection is a featureof certain programming languages to provide information about objects atruntime, such as names of methods of a class, type information forinstance variables of a class, and the actual implementation (code) ofmethods of a class. Reflection is a feature of certain programminglanguages that enables a developer to perform a number of operations atruntime, such as adding new classes, adding methods to a class, andadding instance variables to a class. The actual redirection isaccomplished by changing the value of a pointer within a structure forthe method so that the pointer points to the location of the alternateimplementation instead of the location of the default implementation.For example, a third-party developer of an application for the APPLE IOSplatform may not have access to the source code for classes provided bythe IOS platform, but APPLE IOS currently provides a function toredirect the selector for a method (i.e., the value of the element inthe method structure that indicates the location of implementation ofthe method) to point to an alternate implementation: method hd —exchangeImplementation (Method original, Method new)). However, if introspectionand reflection are not supported or simply not available, an alternatetechnique to achieve redirection of method calls at runtime may bedesirable.

SUMMARY

Particular embodiments establish static redirection of a function thatis a member of a class to an alternate implementation of the function. Asoftware tool executing on a computer server receives an executable filefor an application and a location for an alternate implementation of thefunction. The alternate implementation of the function may operate, whenexecuted, to enforce security measures or policies when the modifiedexecutable file is launched from a client device. The function may bewritten in Objective C. The software tool may be used to locate astructure for the function by traversing serialized metadata in theexecutable file. For each pair of structures serially traversed, thesoftware tool may inspect a first structure defined in the serializedmetadata to determine a value of a specific element, wherein the valueis an offset indicating a location in the executable file of a secondstructure. The software tool may then be used to modify the metadata inthe executable file by updating the value of a selector indicating thelocation of a current implementation of the function to indicate alocation of the alternate implementation. The selector may be includedin an element of the structure for the class method. The software toolmay alternately write compiled code for the alternate implementationinto available space at a location within the executable file. Thesoftware tool may also package compiled code for the alternateimplementation into a library, and inject the library into theexecutable file. Finally, the computer server may provide the modifiedexecutable file for installation on client devices. The computer servermay provision the modified executable file to the client devices byover-the-air transmission, an email, a Uniform Resource Locator (URL),or a direct physical connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an example computing environment in which embodimentsherein may be practiced.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example method of using a post-buildsoftware tool to redirect executable code to an alternate methodimplementation at runtime.

FIGS. 3A-B are example diagrams illustrating traversal of serializedmetadata in an executable file compiled from Objective C programmingcode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts an example computing environment 100 in which embodimentsdescribed herein may be implemented. An application management server120 runs within a corporation 110 and manages deployment ofworkplace-related applications (e.g., email) to enable employees toutilize a business “workspace” 160 consisting, for example, of a numberof corporate-approved mobile applications 170 that can be installed onan employee's personal mobile device 150. In the embodiment as depictedin FIG. 1, software tool 130 and policy server 140 are components orparts of an application management server 120 similar to the applicationmanagement server further described in the '881 Application that runswithin corporation 110 with an application management agent 180 that isinstalled on mobile device 150 in order to manage the use of variousapplications 170 in business workspace 160 in a secure fashion. Policyserver 140 may be configured, for example, to validate authenticationcredentials transmitted by a mobile OS 190 of mobile device 150 (e.g.,for Mobile Device Management (MDM) purposes, etc.).

In particular embodiments, a developer uses a software tool, such as apost-build software tool 130 deployed on application management server120, to modify an executable file for an application (e.g., a binaryprovided by a third party) to modify the application prior todistribution or launch. In an example use case, the developer may workfor an Information Technology (IT) department of a large corporation 110that wants to distribute to its employees a version of the standardemail application for APPLE IOS devices that has been modified toenforce additional security measures and/or policies, such as, by way ofexample and not limitation, restrictions on access to data,business-related applications, or other resources installed on oraccessible from the client device, wherein such applications orresources are configured to access data managed by the corporation. Thedeveloper may develop an alternate implementation of one or more methodsthat are called at the time the email application is launched on aclient device, install software tool 130 on application managementserver 120, and then use software tool 130 to modify the executable fileto incorporate the alternate implementation and establish staticredirection to call the alternate implementation once the emailapplication is installed and launched on a client device. Once theexecutable file has been modified, the policy server 140 makes themodified application available for distribution to users of clientdevices (e.g., sending a notification to the client devices regardingthe availability of “over-the-air” (OTA) distribution for theapplication). After the modified application has been installed on aclient device (e.g., APPLE's IPHONE 5), upon launch, the modifiedapplication will call the alternate implementation in accordance withthe static redirection and execute operations to enforce the additionalsecurity measures and/or policies (e.g., requiring the user to log inwith their workplace credentials) in relation to the modifiedapplication.

Software tool 130 applies static redirection of the code (by modifyingthe executable file) to eliminate any reliance on being provided with aprogramming language and runtime environment that support introspectionand reflection, which would be necessary to implement dynamicredirection at runtime. The mechanics of applying static redirection issimilar to method swizzling: software tool 130 changes the value of apointer within a structure for the method so that the pointer points tothe location of the alternate implementation instead of the location ofthe default implementation.

In order to change the value of the pointer to the implementation of themethod, software tool 130 must first traverse metadata in the executablefile to find the pointer. For example, an example email application mayinstantiate an object for an emailApplicationUIDelegate class (adelegate of the singleton UIApplication object that implements methodsdeclared by the UIApplicationDelegate protocol) that launches an emailapplication. In accordance with the UIApplicationDelegate protocol, theemailApplicationUIDelegate class implements a methoddidFinishLaunchingWithOptions that is called when the applicationfinishes launching—after state restoration has occurred, but before theapplication's window and other UI have been presented. The developer maywant to change the implementation of didFinishLaunchingWithOptions sothat a user of the application is required to enter their workplaceauthentication credentials, thus providing an extra layer of securitybefore access to workplace email is allowed. Since the developer lacksaccess to the source code for the application, the developer cannotsimply override the didFinishLaunchingWithOptions method with analternate implementation. However, using embodiments of software tool130 described herein, the developer is able to modify the compiledexecutable code so as to redirect the selector for thedidFinishLaunchingWithOptions method to the alternate implementation.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example method of using a post-buildsoftware tool to redirect executable code to an alternate methodimplementation at runtime. In step 210, application management server120 launches software tool 130 to establish static redirection ofinstructions in a compiled Objective C executable file in order to usean alternate implementation of a particular method of a class. Theexecutable file includes metadata describing elements of a softwareprogram, including classes, methods, properties, protocols, instancevariables, etc. The executable file may be linked to one or more libraryfiles including one or more additional elements to be used with thesoftware program. The alternate implementation of the method may belocated in any appropriate location, such as, for example, a separatefile that is identified in the command, a library file, or a location inthe executable file itself.

In step 220, application management server 120 uses software tool 130 totraverse a series of related structures (e.g., ClassList, Class,MethodList, Method) described in serialized metadata in the executablefile to locate the structure for the method targeted for redirection,which includes a pointer (IMP field) to the executable code for themethod implementation. In order to traverse the metadata efficiently andlocate the method targeted for redirection, the structures in themetadata may be represented by nodes in a graph, wherein the nodes areconnected by edges representing the set of all possible paths totraverse the metadata while inspecting the structures. Using the graphrepresentation, the metadata may then be traversed using conventionalalgorithms for searching for a node in a cyclic directed graph (e.g.,the A* algorithm).

FIG. 3A is an example diagram illustrating traversal of a graphstructure representing serialized Objective C metadata 300 in anexecutable file. The metadata 300 in the executable file is organizedinto sections, wherein each section corresponds to metadata for aparticular type of objective C construct (e.g., classes, methods,properties, protocols, instance variables, etc.). Each section ofmetadata 300 may have a name starting with a particular prefix, such as“_objc_” (e.g., “_objc_data”, “_objc_classlist”, “_objc_const”), as wellas a section “TEXT” including compiled code for method implementations.Each section of metadata 300 includes structures defining constructs,such as classes, methods, properties, etc. Within the serializedmetadata 300, each structure that defines an Objective C construct thatreferences another construct (e.g., structure defining a class thatreferences a structure defining a list of class methods) includes anelement with a pointer to the offset in the executable file where thereferenced structure is located.

The software tool begins traversing section 310 (“_objc_data”) inmetadata 300, which includes a structure 312 (“objcClassList”).Structure 312 represents an array of integers, wherein each integervalue is an offset indicating a location in a section 320(“_objc_classlist”) of the executable file. At each of those locations,there can be found a structure defining a class. The software tool findsthe offset (“offset_N”) corresponding to the class(emailApplicationUIDelegate) of which the target method(didFinishLaunchingWithOptions) is a member and jumps to that locationin the executable file to inspect structure 322 that defines that class.

The structure 322 for the class emailApplicationUIDelegate may include anumber of elements, including an element (“data NEVER USE”) whose valueis an offset indicating the location in section 330 (“_objc_const”) ofmetadata 300—at this location can be found a structure 332(“emailApplicationUIClassRO”) that represents metadata for the classemailApplicationUIDelegate. The software tool jumps to this location inthe executable file to inspect structure 332.

Structure 332 includes a number of elements, including an element(“baseMethods”) whose value is an offset indicating the location insection 330 of a structure 334 (“emailApplicationUIMethodList”) thatrepresents a list of methods defined for the classemailApplicationUIDelegate. The software tool jumps to this location inthe executable file to inspect structure 334.

Structure 334 may include an element (“first”) whose value is an offsetindicating the location in section 330 of the beginning of a list ofstructures defining methods of the class emailApplicationUIDelegate. Bytraversing this list, software tool 130 can find the structure 336 thatdefines the method targeted for redirection(“didFinishLaunchingWithOptionsMethod”). The software tool jumps to thislocation in the executable file to inspect structure 336.

Structure 336 includes a element (“imp”) whose value is an offsetindicating a location in section 340 (“TEXT”) of metadata 300—at thislocation can be found the beginning of the compiled code 342 for theoriginal implementation of the target method.

In step 230, software tool 130 updates the IMP field in structure 336 inthe metadata to point to the location 344 of the alternateimplementation, as shown in FIG. 3B. The alternate implementation mayhave been compiled into a library that was injected into the executable(e.g., by modifying the list of load commands LC_LOAD_COMMANDS to add aLC_LOAD_DYLIB entry pointing to the injected library).

In step 240, the developer makes the modified email applicationavailable for distribution and/or distributes the application to usersof client devices, e.g., by using policy server 140 to send anotification to the client devices regarding the availability of“over-the-air” (OTA) distribution for the email application. In step245, mobile OS 190 on client device 150 receives the notification anddisplays the notification to the user. If client device 150 has beenconfigured to install workplace applications automatically, clientdevice 150 requests a download of the email application. In step 250, inresponse to the request for a download, policy server 140 transmits themodified executable file to the client device (e.g., IPHONE 5).

In step 255, after client device 150 receives the modified executablefile, mobile OS 190 may install the modified executable file for theemail application on client device 150 within business workspace 160 andconfigure application to receive workplace emails.

In step 260, the application management agent 180 receives a request toaccess the email application in the business workspace, and thenlaunches the modified application (step 270). When mobile OS 190 handlesthe call to the redirected method didFinishLaunchingWithOptions. Inaccordance with the static redirection that was established by updatingthe IMP field in structure 336 to point to the location 344 in theexecutable file of the alternate implementation ofdidFinishLaunchingWithOptions, mobile OS 290 executes the alternateimplementation (step 280), rather than the original implementation.

Since the alternate implementation was called, in step 290, theapplication requests application management agent 180 to executeoperations to require the user to present their workplace authenticationcredentials. If the user can be authenticated using their credentials,the alternate implementation of didFinishLaunchingWithOptions allows theapplication to proceed with its usual routines to present the emailapplication interface; otherwise, if the user cannot be authenticated,the alternate implementation of didFinishLaunchingWithOptions maypresent an error message and/or prevent access to the application.

Although one or more embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in some detail for clarity of understanding, it will beapparent that certain changes and modifications may be made within thescope of the claims. For example, where it is desirable to preserve theoriginal implementation of the method, the alternate, pre-compiledimplementation of the method may be written into available space withinthe TEXT field of the section including the metadata for the structurefor the method in the executable file, in which case, the software toolsimply updates the IMP field to point to the location where the code forthe alternate implementation begins; in some cases, the software toolmay expand the available space in the TEXT field prior to writing thealternate implementation of the method into the available space. Inanother example, the alternate, pre-compiled implementation of themethod may be used to overwrite the currently existing implementation.In another example, while embodiments herein have referred to certainoperating systems such as APPLE IOS, it should be recognized that anyoperating systems may be utilized in alternate embodiments such asAPPLE'S IOS, RESEARCH IN MOTION'S BLACKBERRY OS, MICROSOFT'S WINDOWSPHONE, HEWLETT PACKARD'S WEBOS, SYMBIAN, JAVA, and the like. It shouldfurther be recognized that use of certain terminology that may be morecommonly used with certain operating systems than others is merelyexemplary not meant to limit the scope of the teachings herein to anyparticular operating system and that corresponding functions andcomponents in other operating system platforms may benefit from theteachings herein. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of theclaims is not to be limited to details given herein, but may be modifiedwithin the scope and equivalents of the claims. In the claims, elementsand/or steps do not imply any particular order of operation, unlessexplicitly stated in the claims.

The various embodiments described herein may employ variouscomputer-implemented operations involving data stored in computersystems. For example, these operations may require physical manipulationof physical quantities—usually, though not necessarily, these quantitiesmay take the form of electrical or magnetic signals, where they orrepresentations of them are capable of being stored, transferred,combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated. Further, suchmanipulations are often referred to in terms, such as producing,identifying, determining, or comparing. Any operations described hereinthat form part of one or more embodiments of the invention may be usefulmachine operations. In addition, one or more embodiments of theinvention also relate to a device or an apparatus for performing theseoperations. The apparatus may be specially constructed for specificrequired purposes, or it may be a general purpose computer selectivelyactivated or configured by a computer program stored in the computer. Inparticular, various general purpose machines may be used with computerprograms written in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may bemore convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform therequired operations.

The various embodiments described herein may be practiced with othercomputer system configurations including hand-held devices,microprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumerelectronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like.

One or more embodiments of the present invention may be implemented asone or more computer programs or as one or more computer program modulesembodied in one or more computer readable media. The term computerreadable medium refers to any data storage device that can store datawhich can thereafter be input to a computer system—computer readablemedia may be based on any existing or subsequently developed technologyfor embodying computer programs in a manner that enables them to be readby a computer. Examples of a computer-readable medium include a harddrive, network attached storage (NAS), read-only memory, random-accessmemory (e.g., a flash memory device), a CD (Compact Disc)—CD-ROM, a CDR,or a CD-RW, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magnetic tape, and otheroptical and non-optical data storage devices. The computer readablemedium can also be distributed over a network coupled computer system sothat the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributedfashion.

Herein, a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium or media mayinclude one or more semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits(ICs) (such, as for example, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) orapplication-specific ICs (ASICs)), hard disk drives (HDDs), hybrid harddrives (HHDs), optical discs, optical disc drives (ODDs),magneto-optical discs, magneto-optical drives, floppy diskettes, floppydisk drives (FDDs), magnetic tapes, solid-state drives (SSDs),RAM-drives, SECURE DIGITAL cards or drives, any other suitablecomputer-readable non-transitory storage media, or any suitablecombination of two or more of these, where appropriate. Acomputer-readable non-transitory storage medium may be volatile,non-volatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile, whereappropriate.

Herein, “or” is inclusive and not exclusive, unless expressly indicatedotherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A or B”means “A, B, or both,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicatedotherwise by context. Moreover, “and” is both joint and several, unlessexpressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context.Therefore, herein, “A and B” means “A and B, jointly or severally,”unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context.

The scope of this disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions,variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodimentsdescribed or illustrated herein that a person having ordinary skill inthe art would comprehend. The scope of this disclosure is not limited tothe example embodiments described or illustrated herein. Moreover,although this disclosure describes and illustrates respectiveembodiments herein as including particular components, elements,functions, operations, or steps, any of these embodiments may includeany combination or permutation of any of the components, elements,functions, operations, or steps described or illustrated anywhere hereinthat a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend.Furthermore, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or systemor a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to,capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative toperform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system,component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated,turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or componentis so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, oroperative.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method to establish static redirection of afunction that is a member of a class to an alternate implementation ofthe function, the method comprising using a processor to performoperations including: locating, in an executable file, metadataindicating a first location of the function, the first location being incompiled code within the executable file, wherein a software tooltraverses serialized metadata to locate the metadata indicating thefirst location; modifying the metadata in the executable file to changea selector to point to a second location for the alternateimplementation of the function, the second location being in thecompiled code of the executable file, wherein modifying the metadataresults in a modified executable file, wherein the alternateimplementation of the function operates to enforce a security measurewhen the modified executable file is executed on the client device,wherein the security measure includes a restriction on access to anapplication installed on the client device, and wherein the applicationis configured to access workplace data on a server that is remote fromthe client device; and sending the modified executable file to a clientdevice, where the modified executable file is executed.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the alternate implementation of the function requires auser to supply a login credential that the function at the firstlocation does not require.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theexecutable file is part of an email application, and wherein thealternate implementation of the function causes the email application torequire a workplace credential.
 4. The method of claim 1, the operationsfurther including: packaging compiled code for the alternateimplementation into a library; and injecting the library into theexecutable file.
 5. The method of claim 1, the operations furtherincluding sending a notification to the client device that causes theclient device to install the modified executable file.
 6. Anon-transitory, computer-readable medium containing instructionsexecuted by at least one processor to perform steps to establish staticredirection of a method that is a member of a class to an alternateimplementation of the method, the steps comprising: locating, in anexecutable file, metadata indicating a first location of the method, thefirst location being in compiled code within the executable file,wherein a software tool traverses serialized metadata to locate themetadata indicating the first location; modifying the metadata in theexecutable file to change a selector to point to a second location forthe alternate implementation of the method, the second location being inthe compiled code of the executable file, wherein modifying the metadataresults in a modified executable file, wherein the alternateimplementation of the method operates to enforce a security measure whenthe modified executable file is executed on the client device, whereinthe security measure includes a restriction on access to an applicationinstalled on the client device, and wherein the application isconfigured to access workplace data on a server that is remote from theclient device; and sending the modified executable file to a clientdevice, where the modified executable file is executed.
 7. Thenon-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein thealternate implementation of the method requires a user to supply a logincredential that the method at the first location does not require. 8.The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein theexecutable file is part of an email application, and wherein thealternate implementation of the method causes the email application torequire a workplace credential.
 9. The non-transitory, computer-readablemedium of claim 6, the steps further including: packaging compiled codefor the alternate implementation into a library; and injecting thelibrary into the executable file.
 10. The non-transitory,computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the alternateimplementation of the method operates to enforce a security measure whenthe modified executable file is executed on the client device.
 11. Thenon-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein thesecurity measure includes a restriction on access to a plurality ofapplications installed on the client device, wherein the plurality ofapplications are configured to access data managed by an employer of auser of the client device.
 12. The non-transitory, computer-readablemedium of claim 6, the operations further including sending anotification to the client device that causes the client device toinstall the modified executable file.
 13. A system comprising a hardwareprocessor and a local storage, the hardware processor executinginstructions to establish static redirection of a method that is amember of a class to an alternate implementation of the method, theinstructions causing the processor to at least: locate, in an executablefile, a metadata indicating a first location of the method, the firstlocation being in compiled code within the executable file, wherein asoftware tool traverses serialized metadata to locate the metadataindicating the first location; modify the metadata in the executablefile to change a selector to point to a second location for thealternate implementation of the method, the second location being in thecompiled code of the executable file, wherein modifying the metadataresults in a modified executable file, wherein the alternateimplementation of the method operates to enforce a security measure whenthe modified executable file is executed on the client device, whereinthe security measure includes a restriction on access to an applicationinstalled on the client device, and wherein the application isconfigured to access workplace data on a server that is remote from theclient device: and send the modified executable file to a client device,where the modified executable file is executed.
 14. The system of claim13, wherein the alternate implementation of the method requires a userto supply a login credential, wherein the login credential is notrequired by the method at the first location.
 15. The system of claim13, wherein the executable file is part of an email application, andwherein the alternate implementation of the method causes the emailapplication to require a workplace credential.
 16. The system of claim13, the operations further including sending a notification to theclient device that causes the client device to install the modifiedexecutable file.